Clock



P J. SILVERSTEEN 2,347,516 I CLOCK Filed Aug. 6, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 1944 J. SILVERSTEEN CLOCK Filed Aug. 6, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1944 Julius Silversteen, North Franklyn, Gonn a ssignor of one ha lf' to Elsie-Mayer, North-Franklyn, Conn.

Application Augnstfi, 1942', Serial No. 453,845

zclaims.

The present invention relates to clocks.- and comprehends the provision of a means -wherehy the insertion of a coin in the clock isa necessary prerequisite to permit winding thereon; the object being to encourage and promote the saving of money.

In carrying out the invention, means is provided to prevent rotation of the winding shaft of the clock mechanism until after a coin has been inserted in the clock, whereupon the winding shaft is released for a predetermined period of time, during which the clock can be wound.

One of the chief characteristics of the invention resides in the simplicity of the means empioyed for carrying the invention into efieot, thereby assuring both positive and accurate operation of said means for the purpose intended;

Other objects and advantages will appear when the follewing detail description is read in; connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts as; claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a clock partly broken away, and constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the rear plate of the clock removed to illustrate certain parts of the invention. 7

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the means for holding the winding shaft of the clock against rotation.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the clock.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the elemen employed for retaining the winding shaft holding means normally in active position Before entering into a detail description of what is herei shown, I desire to have it under stood that the drawings are merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention t'o which I do not limit myself, and that such changes in construction may be resorted to when rdesired as fall within the scope of whatvis claimed.

Referring to the drawings in detail", A indicates generally a clock of any well known make or construction, and B the usual mechanism thereof. The lower portion of the clock casing is provided with a money receiving compartment, access to which is controlledin any suitablemanner, preferably by a removable plate I i, normally locked in its active position by a suitable lock indicated at H. Manifestly, the plate ll closes an opening in the bottom of the clock casing, while the top wall of the-latter is provided with a coin receiving slot l-2. This slot is normally covered to prevent dirt or other foreign matter from entering the clock,; and this is preferably accomplishedby afiange- [3' carried by one wall of acoin receiving chute f4, 7 The chute f t is mountedwithin the clock casing for tilting movement as clearly shown inFigureand is'actuated by a lever l5 operating through a slot [6 in the rearwall of the, clock casing as illustrated. Upon inspection. of Figure l it will be noted that the chute I4 normally occupies a. vertical position slightly to one side of the coin slot [2,, with the flange l3. disposed directly beneath the slot i2 and closing. the latter. The normal position of the chute M is indicated by run, lines, and is maintained in this position by a light spring 15. The tiltedv position of the chute is shown by dotted lines.

Located directly beneath the coin chute M is a stationary channel shaped coin guide, one wall of which is provided with an upstanding angularly shaped flange ll' constituting. a stop for the coin chute Hi when, the latter is tilted. The coin C passes through the coin chute Hi When the latter is tilted, and momentarily reposes upon the flange If'i until the coin chute It returns toits normal position, wheree upon the coin C. moves therefrom into the stationary coin guide ill. from. which it passes into the coin receiving. compartment lfil ofthe clock casing. Arranged within the-coin guide [8 is a bowed spring. [9' utilized to force the coin from the coin guide through the open side, there! of. The coi C enters the coin receiving coinpartment through asuitable slot i8 beneath which is disposed a freely flexible spring 19".

Pivoted at one side of the coin chute [4 is a lever of the character illustrated in Figure 6, the purpose of which will he hereinafter fully set forth. This lever. isprovided with an angulan ly disposed offset flange 20 normally bridging the coin outlet passage of the stationary coin guide l 8 as clearly shown in Figure 2. The lever itself is indicated at 2! and provided withan opening 22 at which point it is pivoted. The flange 20 projects from the lever at an approe priate point inits length to be contacted by'the coin C as the latter passes from the coin guide, thereby actuating the lever for apurpose to'be presently set forth. A light spring 23 is preferably employed to maintain. the lever in its nor-.- mal position with the flange 20 bridging the-outlet passagefor the coin in-the coin. guide It} The lever 2| is. employedto-positively maintain the locking meansforthewinding shaft'in itsactive position, sothat the latter cannot be,- rotated without first depositing a coinin theoloclr; Consequently, the lever 2 is actuated by the coin C as it is forced from the coin guide 18 under the influence ofv the spring l9 to effect a release of the winding shaf-t lock-ingmeans in iii-manner to be presentlydescribed-.

The means for locking? the winding shaft against rotation, embodies a lever centrally acterized with oppositely disposed curved arm-' like extensions 25 and 25' respectively. The ex tension 25 terminates to provide a right angularly disposed extremity 26 arranged in the path of ment of the coin C brings it into engagement with the offset extremity 26 of the lever 24 thereby shifting the latter to its inactive position. During this operation the lever 24 turns or rotates ;on the minute shaft 3| independently thereof and carries the pawl 21 away from the ratchet wheel 28. The winding shaft 30 is thus released so the clock can be properly wound. However, the

travel of the coin C, to be actuated thereby as the coin passes from the coin guide 8. The other extension 25 i provided with a curved portion 26' to give balance to the lever 24 on the minute shaft. Projecting from the body of the lever 24 is a pawl 21 adapted to'engage a ratchet wheel 28 carried 'on the winding shaft 30, thus normally preventing rotation of the winding shaft in one direction. The usual winding key for the shaft is indicated at 30', while the key for the minute shaft is shown at 3|. The lever 24 is provided with a hub 33 which frictionally engages the flange of the bushing 32 for the minute shaft as clearly shown in Figure 5. The friction between these parts is regulated by adjusting the tension of the coil spring 35 by means of the nuts These nuts are threaded on the bushing 32, while the spring 35 is interposed between the nuts and the lever 24 as illustrated. In this connection it isto be understood that the lever 24 is adapted to be partially rotated on the minute shaft to its released position when engaged by the coin C, but the friction between the shaft and lever 24 is such that the latter is returned to its normal position by virtue of the rotation of the shaft. The lever is returned to its normal position slowly, requiring approximately five minutes, there-by affording ample time in which to wind the clock; The lever 2| extends across the offset extremity 26 of the lever 24 in contacting engagement therewith-and is primarily utilized to effectively maintain the-lever 24 in engagement with the ratchetwheel 28; However, the lever 2| is first engaged by the coin'C'and moved thereby to aninactive-position, just prior to the shifting of lever 24 to its inactive position by the coin contacting the extremity 26 thereof;

In practise, the movable parts are normally arranged as shown in full'lines in Figures 2, '3 and 4. In these views it will be noted that the offset flange 20 of the lever 2| bridges the coin outlet lever 24 is also frictionally mounted on the minute shaftto turn therewith, and the return of the lever 24 to its normal position after each operation, is by virtue of the rotation of the minute shaft. Consequently, the lever 24 returns to its normal position slowly, requiring approximately five minutes,- thereby affording ample time in which to wind the clock. The lever 2| obviously moves to its normal position with the lever 24 as it contacts the offset extremity 26 of the latter, andwhen the pawl 21 again engages the ratchet wheel, the lever 2| functions to effectively hold said parts so associated, so that the winding shaft cannot be used to wind the clock until a proper coin is inserted in the clock. The invention thus provides both a novel and interesting method of saving coins, and encourages thrift.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, we desire to have it understood that such changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a clock mechanism, a ratchet wheel carried by the winding shaft, a lever mounted on the minute shaft and having an offset extremity, a pawl projecting from the lever and engaging the ratchet wheel to normally hold the winding shaft against rotation in a winding direction, said lever being partially rotated on its shaft to a released position by a coin contacting said offset extremity thereof, means effectively maintaining said lever in its normal position, including a spring influenced pivoted lever engaging the said oifsetextremity of the first mentioned lever, an angularly disposed flange projecting from the spring influenced lever and adapted to be en- I gaged by said coin to initially shift the lever to passage of the coin chute I8, as does also the to cover the coin slot 12. Now,-when it is desired to wind the clock, it is'first necessary to-tilt the coin chute M to uncover the slot l2 and at the same position the chute M to receive the coin C inserted in said slot; The coin C reposes upon the flange I! of the-coin chute 8 until the tiltable coin chute returns to normal position. The coin C then passes into the stationary chute l8 and is forced therefrom by the spring I9. As the coin C moves out of the chute l8 it first contacts the offset flange 20 of the lever 2| moving the latter to its inactive position. Continued move- 2. released position just prior to the movement of the first mentioned lever by said coin, and means whereby the first mentioned lever is returned to its normal position after each operation by the rotation of said minute shaft.

2. A clock having a coin receiving slot in one wall thereof, and a' coin receiving compartment, a coin chute pivoted within the clock and ar ranged at one side of said slot, a flange carried by said chute and normally disposed beneath the slot to close the latter, means for tilting the chute to a position to receive the coin inserted in the slot, and incidentall; uncover the slot, means normally holding the winding shaft of the clock against rotation in awinding direction, said holding means including means operable upon movement of the chute to a slot covering position and release of the coin from said chute for effecting release of said winding shaft whereby the latter may be rotated in a winding direction, and means operable by rotation of the minute shaft whereby the saidcoin actuated means is returned to its normal position after each operation, within a predetermined period of time. 

